Randall commissioners OK polling places

Posted: Wednesday, December 13, 2000

KEVIN WELCHGlobe-News Staff Writer

Randall County commissioners had a mixed agenda Tuesday, taking no action on eliminating an assistant auditor position, receiving a report on proposed road closings and approving polling places for the tax rollback election.

Commissioners were to discuss moving $43,856 from the county auditor's budget to the commissioner's court contingency fund to eliminate a new employee approved by the Randall County Council of Judges, the body that governs the auditor's office.

In a letter written to commissioners Saturday, 251st District Judge Patrick Pirtle said the elimination of the position could not be supported by law, recommending commissioners not approve the transfer of funds.

"I feel certain that the Commissioners Court would not be so brazen as to intentionally disregard a lawful order of the Council of Judges," he wrote. "I am more comfortable with the notion that the parties requesting this action simply have been misinformed or that they fail to understand the interpretation of applicable statutes."

Pirtle said the position will not be filled "pending a determination of Randall county's financial condition in the unfortunate event of a tax rollback."

Criminal District Attorney James Farren said his office researched the matter and reached the same conclusion as Pirtle. The Texas Attorney General's office concurred in an oral opinion, Farren said.

Tuesday night, Commissioner Craig Gualtiere said he discussed the matter with two of the district judges and there is no action to be taken.

Road Superintendent Russell Hanson presented a plan to close two roads that cross the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks.

The Texas Department of Transportation plan calls for the closing of crossings on Dowell Road and Blessen Road, he said. The crossing at City Lake Road would be equipped with arms and lights with money from the state and BNSF and other improvements, such as paving, would be made in the area of the crossings.

Commissioners approved a public hearing on the possible closings at 7 p.m. on Jan. 6 in the county courtroom in Canyon.